Mitchell's 5th Birthday

Mitchell's 4th Birthday

Mitchell's 3rd Birthday

Feb 2010

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Our Little Hero

These pictures are from the Selah Days Parade in the middle of May. It was an idea I had for several months, but when it came down to it, I wasn't sure we'd pull it off. We have been so busy and exhausted, but thanks to the help of our family it all worked out and Mitchell had a blast! It was so fun to see him so excited, especially since we hadn't seen that in ages.

Last update I mentioned we began a medication in hopes of diminishing Mitchell's aggressive behaviors. We've been on it at least a month and unfortunately it has provided absolutely NO benefits and all the bad side effects. His aggression has actually been worse and has turned into self-inflicting harm, which to me is very scary. It's physically exhausting to keep him from his brother and sister so he cannot hurt them, but it's impossible to watch him all day so he doesn't seriously hurt himself. I just have no clue what we should be doing. We're trying to get into a psychiatrist here in town.

Our next MRI is Fri, June 22. I don't think we're nervous, because we are completely accepting of the Lord's will either way. It has just been so difficult because Mitchell has not been himself for a long time. He is so miserable and tortured and it is so heartbreaking. We love out little boy so incredibly much and just pray that what is best for him will happen.

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Mitchell's Story

Mitchell showed his first symptom April 12, 2010. He was putting his shoes on and looked up at me and I noticed his eyes track in opposite directions. Obviously that sent chills up my spine and I immediately began calling doctors and no one would see him or seemed to think it was a big deal. After it continued a few days and I insisted they see my child, we took him in and our pediatrician agreed something wasn't right. Several doctors later and multiple random diagnoses, we took him to Seattle Children's on April 16th where he was administered an MRI. That scan showed a small tumor that the drs thought was on the brainstem and when I continued to ask the hows/whys they told me not to worry.

I worried all summer long and into the fall until on November 10, 2010 he woke up gagging. I thought he must have the stomach flu and coddled him all day. Around lunchtime it was obvious something serious was wrong because his muscles were shaking and he couldn't walk. We had just had a check-up on November 8 and although we voiced concerns about his eyes drooping, the doctor came up with some strange reason. When we called him about the muscle weakness we were told to go immediately to Seattle Children's. That hour of preparation was one of the worst of our lives. We prayed and cried then left not knowing what awaited us in Seattle. An MRI revealed the tumor had tripled in size. Mitchell's muscle weakness worsened by the minute. In the next couple of days he wouldn't be able to walk at all or lift his left arm. Friday, November 12 he went in for a biopsy to hopefully know what kind of a tumor we were dealing with. Although inconclusive, enough was gathered to diagnose him with a high-grade brainstem glioma.

We began radiation December 6th and finished January 26th during which time he took small doses of temodar--a chemotherapy drug. From February 28th, 2011 until January 23, 2012 he was on a maintenance plan of temodar, irinotecan, and bevacuzimab.

Mitchell's symptoms returned a few months after we finished chemotherapy. They began with severe impulsive behavioral issues that no one could identify a cause for and Mitchell clearly felt bad about. We had some mixed MRI results in May and June, but by then it was clear the tumor was growing. Mitchell declined over the summer but fought hard for his time. He passed away peacefully Sept. 2, 2012 in his daddy's arms. We miss you Mitchell and love you...Always and forever...No matter what!